March 28th – On a grey, misty and cold morning running through Wednesbury on an errand, what better pick-me-up than this embankment of daffodils?
I was cold, and not feeling the love at all, but these reversed my gloom. Daffodils are such lovely flowers and I adore the way they transform even mundane industrial estates like this.
March 20th – One aspect of springtime in Walsall that’s always worth a mention are the fantastic displays of daffodils on public land – grass verges, open spaces and parks are full of cheery patches of which-growing gaffs, and are always a joy to behold.
Here at Shelfied, where the railway once ran, white blooms form a positive sea of colour. Planting them was clearly very hard work, and an inspired act of beauty and felicity.
Thanks to those who did so, and those who are careful not to mow the deadheads down afterwards, thus protecting the following spring’s showing.
Mach 15th – I nipped to Telford for a quick errand mid day, and was pleased to see that the construction workers building the new bridge at the station hadn’t destroyed the daffodils under their wheels.
The scrub on the right was until recently covered in trees and shrubs, and upon clearance for the upcoming works, the daffodils formerly blocked from the light bolted forth. It’s good to see them get their time in the light.
March 7th – I had to nip to Telford, and as I came through the station I noted that the tree clearance now seems to have ended, and construction weens to have started in earnest on the western side of the bridge span.
I was also pleased to note that the daffodils on the station ramp side that bolted wonderfully when cleared of their shady tree-cover are coming into bloom as yet untroubled by the construction machines. it’s right they should bloom unfettered for a final time, I think.
This project has caught my attention and I’ll be interested to watch it progress – not least to see how they manage to built a new access way that will so clearly interfere with the old one, and yet still maintain public access.
February 25th – I love daffodils – harbingers of spring, I eagerly await their appearance to herald the light and sun every year.
By now, I know where the earliest local ones appear – the miniature ones (possibly actually narcissus) in Kings Hill Park are usually competing to be first with this patch on the Chester Road near Stonnall, at the Wood Lane junction.
I know they’re both unnaturally early. But a man can dream of spring, after all.
They are a delight to welcome back every year, and on this dull, wet and blustery ride up the Chester Road, they gladdened my heart.
February 7th – In Telford early morning, and I noted the progress on the tree clearance for the new access bridge was still ongoing. All the trees around the bridge have now been removed, leaving close-cropped stumps and if I’m honest, an open, much more welcoming station. Sad at the same time though, as those trees kept a healthy stock of berries throughout the winter for an army of blackbirds, who’ll now have to seek sfustainence elsewhere.
Sad also for the daffodil bulbs, previously shaded out by the scrub, who are now bolting in the new found light. I hope they get a final chance to bloom before the go under the constructor’s digger…
May 4th – Summer seems finally to be on it’s way in. A warm, sunny day during which I had to visit telford, where the tulips in the station flowerbed are divine. On the way back from Lichfield, the daffodils were still strong in the hedgerows, and the oilseed rape was burning yellow in the fields.
Sunshine, it’s so good to have you back… please stay awhile.
April 7th – And daffodils again, this time on a chilly ride home; these are on the site of the former railway bridge in Shelfield that’s now a public open space, and are an absolute riot. Again mixed, it’s a fantastic show this year, and a credit to those at the council who planted and tend them.
Gorgeous.
April 7th – Passing through Telford mid morning, I passed a bank of daffodils on an embankment near the cycleway. There were were several varieties of the flower here – normal types, some lovely feathery yellow ones, white ones and others with beautiful orange centres. They were an absolute joy to the heart after a few bad commutes – as were the beautiful polyanthus in the planter at Telford station.
This is a very unusual spring, but the usually short lived spring flowers seem to have been in bloom for ages now, and i like that very much. After the darkness of winter, it’s always good to see a fine display of these gorgeous plants.
March 24th – Passing through Wednesbury, I noticed this bank of daffodils by an industrial estate verge. Now that’s a fine thing and I was very happy to see them, then I noticed that amongst the standard yellow variety, there was white too.
I wonder if that was a happy accident or a genetic mutation? Whatever the cause, a delight to the soul for sure.
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